It's almost time for a fat guy to break into your house, eat your food, and leave some trinkets for your rugrats. Merry Christmas, everyone!

How better to celebrate the birth of Jesus than with movies that celebrate the season. From Miracle on 34th Street to Bad Santa, never let it be said that Hollywood passed up an opportunity to get its Christmas on. So pull on your toastiest PJs, brew up some Irish coffee, and light a fire. Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, and HBO have many films to help you get festive.

Some classics aren't streaming, but if you really want to watch It's a Wonderful Life, Elf, or A Christmas Story, just turn on the nearest TV. I think it's required by law that one of the three be broadcast at all times over the next two weeks.

Sadly, there aren't too many Hanukkah movies to speak of, save for Eight Crazy Nights and The Hebrew Hammer; watch the latter on Amazon Video, if you must. Or just catch the Chrismukkah episode of The O.C.on Hulu.

If it's Christmas cheer you crave, however, here's what you can watch right now courtesy of favorite Internet-connected device.

1Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Is there really a Santa Claus? That's what little Susan Walker wants to know, and a kindly man named Kris Kringle is there to help her suspend disbelief. Watch the Oscar-nominated 1947 original on Amazon.

2White Christmas (1954)

Is it really Christmas without Bing Crosby? Not it is not. In White Christmas, Bing plays a WWII vet turned Broadway star who, along with his Army buddy (Danny Kaye), romances a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) and tries to help save the Vermont lodge of a former commanding officer. Be warned: it gets Christmassy. Watch it on Netflix. Or stream another Bing Christmas classic, Holiday Inn, on Amazon Video.

3Gremlins (1984)

If you want to watch a Christmas movie that's not exactly a Christmas movie, Gremlins fits the bill. Billy's dad buys a mogwai for his son as a Christmas present, which seems like a good idea until Billy's dumb friend spills water on his mogwai, Gizmo, who spawns a bunch of evil mogwai. Hilarity ensues, especially if you feed these creatures after midnight. Trust me. Watch it on Netflix (before Jan. 1).

4Rocky IV (1985)

Do you want to watch a boxing movie but your significant other wants to watch a Christmas movie? Cue up Rocky IV, which finds Rocky Balboa participating in a 15-round fight in the Soviet Union on Christmas Day (everything old is new again!). Watch Sly Stallone punch communism in the face and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. It's streaming on Amazon.

6A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

7The Santa Clause (1994)

"My dad killed Santa, so now he's Santa." That's the rather dark premise of The Santa Clause, but somehow through the magic of Disney, this is a heartwarming comedy about Tim Allen developing a thyroid issue. Watch it on Netflix. (Truly dedicated fans can also check out The Santa Clause 2 and The Santa Clause 3.)

8Home for the Holidays (1995)

Going home for the holidays and dealing with your crazy family after a crappy year is kind of a Christmas movie cliche, but this particular version is directed by Jodie Foster and stars Holly Hunter and a floppy-haired Robert Downey Jr. From the overbearing mother and nutty dad to uptight sister and jackass brother, the gang's all here. Stream it on Amazon Video.

10Bad Santa (2003)

11The Holiday (2006)

I know everyone's favorite mid-2000s Christmas romantic comedy is supposed to be Love, Actually, but The Holiday is actually where it's at. It's directed by Nancy Meyers, so there's plenty of real estate porn, from California to the English countryside. Here, LA-based Amanda and London-based Iris switch homes at the holidays to escape relationship trouble, and naturally, they end up finding much better matches on the other side of the globe. But can they make it work? Stream it on Amazon Video.

12Doctor Who Christmas Specials

Movies don't get to have all the holiday fun. The Brits are very into "Christmas specials" of favorite TV series, and Doctor Who is no exception. Watch them all on Amazon Video ahead of this year's special.

About the Author

Chloe Albanesius has been with PCMag.com since April 2007, most recently as Executive Editor for News and Features. Prior to that, she worked for a year covering financial IT on Wall Street for Incisive Media. From 2002 to 2005, Chloe covered technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships a... See Full Bio

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